Pre-WNS Species Distribution and Hibernacula Surveys | P18AS00273

Opportunity Information: Apply for P18AS00273

The grant opportunity "Pre-WNS Species Distribution and Hibernacula Surveys" (Funding Opportunity Number P18AS00273) is a National Park Service cooperative agreement focused on building much-needed baseline information about bats in Capitol Reef National Park in southern Utah. Capitol Reef is known to support unusually high bat diversity for the region, with 16 confirmed species, but the park currently lacks detailed, park-wide data on where those species occur, how their activity shifts across seasons, and how the park's complex terrain and elevation changes shape bat community patterns. The project is framed as a proactive step taken before White-nose Syndrome (WNS) potentially reaches the area. WNS is a fungal disease that has caused severe declines in bat populations in the eastern United States, and having strong pre-arrival baseline data is essential for detecting changes and measuring impacts if the disease appears in Capitol Reef.

At its core, the project funds systematic, passive ultrasonic acoustic monitoring using established and approved survey methods. Rather than relying on capture-based techniques, the emphasis is on deploying acoustic detectors that record bat echolocation calls, allowing researchers to document species presence, seasonal habitat use, and relative activity patterns across a range of sites. The work is designed to be practical for rugged park conditions while still producing data that can be compared over time and aligned with broader regional and national monitoring efforts.

The opportunity lays out three primary objectives. First, it aims to map and understand bat species distribution along Capitol Reef's elevational gradient throughout the year, so the park can characterize normal seasonal activity patterns across multiple habitat types. This means collecting data across different elevations and landscapes to see which species are active where and when, and how those patterns change seasonally. Second, it targets potential hibernacula within the park. Because there are sites that could serve as winter roosts but have not been recently checked for use or occupancy, the project calls for seasonal passive acoustic surveys at the entrances of these suspected hibernation areas to determine whether bats are using them, and at what times of year. Third, the project uses results from the first two objectives to design a long-term acoustics monitoring program for Capitol Reef that fits established standards, specifically aligning with the North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service monitoring requirements and protocols. In other words, the deliverable is not only baseline data, but also a monitoring framework the park can continue using to track trends consistently into the future.

The expected outcome is a stronger scientific foundation for bat conservation and management in Capitol Reef and the broader southern Utah region. By filling gaps in knowledge about bat ecology, seasonal distribution, and roost use, the park will be better positioned to protect important species and respond quickly to emerging threats. The baseline is especially valuable because it allows the park to distinguish normal year-to-year variation from disease-driven declines, improving the credibility and usefulness of any future impact assessments tied to WNS.

An additional benefit highlighted in the opportunity is interpretive and educational value. The project is expected to generate information that the park's interpretive staff can translate into outreach materials and programs for visitors and local schools, helping people understand when and where bats are active in the park, what habitats they depend on, and why they matter. This public-facing component supports broader conservation goals by improving awareness and encouraging stewardship.

Administratively, the opportunity was offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, under the Natural Resources funding activity category (CFDA 15.945). It was a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement instrument, indicating that NPS likely anticipated substantial involvement or coordination during the work. Eligibility was limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. The posted award ceiling was $49,255, with one award expected. The opportunity was created June 1, 2018, with an original closing date of June 10, 2018.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pre-WNS Species Distribution and Hibernacula Surveys" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.945.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 01, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 10, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $49,255.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.

Apply for P18AS00273

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